Mexico city: The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday in Mexico City, marking the start of the largest edition of the tournament since its inception in 1930, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the event is hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featuring a record 48 national teams. This marks the first time the World Cup is staged across three countries, significantly expanding the tournament's scale and reach.
The opening match will see hosts Mexico take on South Africa in Group A at the iconic Estadio Azteca. This stadium is set to make history by becoming the first to host FIFA World Cup matches in three different editions, having previously been a venue in 1970 and 1986.
The 2026 tournament is notable for its expansion from 32 to 48 teams, raising the number of matches from 64 to 104. This expansion extends the competition to nearly six weeks, offering fans more opportunities to engage with the event.
Matches will be played across 16 host cities, including 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. This widespread hosting arrangement underscores the global nature of the tournament and the collaborative spirit among host nations.
The tournament will also set a record for Arab representation, with eight teams qualifying for the finals for the first time. Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Iraq represent the Arab world, marking the largest Arab presence in World Cup history.
The expanded format includes nine Asian teams, 10 African teams, 16 European teams, six teams from the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), six South American teams, and one team from Oceania.
The tournament is expected to generate record revenues for FIFA through increased ticket sales, broadcasting rights, sponsorship agreements, and commercial partnerships. FIFA anticipates around seven million spectators attending matches during the tournament, with global viewership projected to reach nearly six billion across multiple broadcasting platforms.